Toothpaste identification by FingerPrint

Fast Toothpaste Identification by Fingerprint

Abstract

This application note shows that the Epsilon 4 is fully capable of identifying small differences in materials. The finger printing technique is applicable to all materials including liquids, powders and solids. FingerPrint software is available for all Epsilon 4 products.

Introduction

This application note shows that Epsilon 4 – a high performance bench top energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer – is fully capable of identifying small differences in materials. The finger printing technique is applicable to all materials including liquids, powders and solids. FingerPrint software is available for all Epsilon 4 products.

Application Background

In recent years it has become common practice to screen incoming materials and finished products within the health care and pharmaceutical community. This practice limits both waste and product liability and helps to identify counterfeit from innovator products. As the EDXRF technique does not significantly heat samples it is applicable for both organic and inorganic material testing. Furthermore, as a simultaneous technique, detecting all elements (from F to Am), it is well suited for rapid material identification.

Instrumentation

Measurements were performed using an Epsilon 4 EDXRF spectrometer, equipped with a rhodium anode X-ray tube, a 10W, 50 kV and 2 mA generator, 6 filters, a helium purge facility (not necessary for all applications), a high-resolution silicon drift detector, a spinner and a 10-position removable sample charger.

Sample Preparation

Each toothpaste sample was weighed to approximately 10 g and simply placed into disposable P1 sample cups. Each P1 cup was constructed with a 4 micron Prolene X-ray support film. A clean plastic spatula was used to lightly press the material to the bottom of each cup and remove air voids. Total sample preparation time was less that 2 minutes per sample.